The Graduates of the
Chicago School for Piano Technology
As well as being available to clients as professional technicians, all of our graduates, unless otherwise indicated, are open to being contacted by interested applicants to CSPT as references for the school and to speak of their experiences here and after graduating.
CLASS OF FALL 2005 (graduation August, 2006)
From left: Ben Gac RPT, Paco Morales RPT, Mike Collin, Carl Chadek, David Peterson, RPT
Carl Chadek
CARL CHADEK PIANO SERVICE
Piano tuning, regulation, maintenance, repair over the entire Chicago metropolitan area.
Telephone: 773/531-2600
Email: cchadek@juno.com
Michael Collin
Michael D. Collin Piano Tuning & Service
http://www.chicagousedpianos.com/
Telephone 847-526-5766 (between noon and 8pm seven days a week)
Our email address is: collinpiano@gmail.com
Our mailing and street address is:
Chicago Used Pianos
535 S. Main St. C-2
Wauconda, IL 60084
We are located in Northwest suburban Chicago, in the village of Wauconda. Google Maps knows the address and will direct you here. The workshop/showroom is open by appointment only, as we are often out of the shop doing tunings or inspections. We offer the following services in the North and Northwest Chicago suburbs:
piano tuning, regulation, repairs, refurbishment/restoration of vertical pianos, evaluations/inspections of vertical pianos, consignment sales of restored vertical pianos to dealerships, sales of restored vertical pianos to private parties.
"Anybody can buy a bag of tools. The Chicago School for Piano Technology gave me the skills and knowledge to approach any piano with a toolbag of How-To and Can-Do."--Mike Collin
Ben Gac, RPT
Ben's Piano Tuning
Ben Gac, RPT
932 Lathrop Ave.
Forest Park, IL 60130
www.BensPianoTuning.com
Ben@BensPianoTuning.com
(630) 291-5654 - cell
(708) 488-1450 - office
Ben Gac is a Registered Piano Technician offering complete, top quality piano service to all of Chicagoland. A skilled aural tuner, he services pianos for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Steinway Piano of Chicago, Pianoforte Chicago, the Wheaton Conservatory of Music, and also serves a large base of private clientele in the Chicagoland area. His tunings have been heard in performances broadcasted on WFMT, Chicago’s classical music radio station, as well as at Lollapalooza, Chicago’s annual rock music festival. Ben is an active member of the Piano Technicians Guild, volunteering his time to tutoring, testing, and administration. He has been published several times in the PTG publication The Piano Technicians Journal, as well as in the Chicago Chapter’s publication The Wippenpost. In 2007 Ben interned at the Tanglewood Music Festival in western Massachusetts, and was subsequently offered a position at Steinway in New York. Ben preferred to stay in Chicago, and has enjoyed serving clientele in the Chicagoland area ever since.
"My illuminating experience at the CSPT aggressively prepared me for a successful career in piano technology. Its teachers, now my friends and colleagues, are unquestionably brilliant sources of experience and a ceaseless fount of knowledge."--Ben Gac, RPT
Paco Morales, RPT
Paco Morales, RPT
Paco Pianos Services of PR
H.C. 58 Box 14573
Aguada, Puerto Rico 00602
787/225-6548
email: pacopianospr@hotmail.com
Owner of Paco Pianos Services of PR Company, a company dedicated to professional acoustic piano care and maintenance, servicing the whole Island of Puerto Rico.
David Peterson, RPT
David Peterson, RPT
http://www.petersonpianoservice.com
Telephone: 708/524-0554
Email: petersonpiano@earthlink.net
"Quality, Reliability, Affordability: Piano Tuning for the Chicago Area"
"The rigorous training I received at the Chicago School for Piano Technology prepared me to be not only a piano tuner, but also a technician with the expertise to diagnose and find solutions to obstacles that may interfere with your enjoyment of your piano. Whether your piano needs tuning, regulation (the adjustment of the mechanical aspects of the piano to achieve uniform touch and responsiveness, and wide dynamic range), or repair (including the replacement of worn or broken parts), I can be of service."--David Peterson, RPT
CLASS OF SPRING 2006 (graduation March, 2007)
From left: Mark Jamerson, Jeffrey Cairns, Gus Roddy, Chad Hetrick, Micah Hamilton, Abigail Allison
Abigail Allison
88 Keys Piano Tuning and Service
Abigail Allison
Telephone: 312/330-1224
Offering piano tuning, regulation, and repair to the Chicago metropolitan area. I work mainly in Hyde Park, but will travel to other areas of Chicago to service pianos in need.
"My time as a student at The Chicago School for Piano Technology has been truly wonderful. My education in all aspects of piano work was extremely thorough, and I feel well prepared to enter the world as a qualified piano technician. The excellent teachers at the school gave me a solid foundation upon which I will always be able to build."--Abigail Allison
Jeffrey Cairns
Cairns Piano Service
Jeffrey Cairns
Telephone: (847) 358-1262 or
(847) 644-2158 (cell)
Email: jeffc58@comcast.net
Providing tuning, regulation and repair services to the Northwest suburbs.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my year at CSPT. It was a challenging curriculum but also very rewarding. I have much more confidence in my abilities as a piano technician as a graduate of the school and feel ready to start working as a professional tuner/technician. The school has also provided excellent preparation and skills for taking the RPT exams which I hope to complete this year. Finally, the instructors and staff were extremely knowledgeable, professional and were a complete joy to work with. I would highly recommend CSPT for any one who is serious about becoming a competent piano technician."--Jeff Cairns
Micah Hamilton
Hamilton Piano Tuning and Repair
Micah Hamilton
Telephone: 319/899-1312
e-mail: hamiltonpiano@hotmail.com
Providing piano tuning, repair, and regulation to the Linn County, Iowa area.
"The time I spent at the Chicago School for Piano Technology was invaluable to my career as a piano technician. I not only learned the skills of piano technology, but I also learned good business and people skills."--Micah Hamilton
Chad Hetrick
Piano Solutions
Chad Hetrick
290 W. Carmel Dr.
Carmel, IN 46032
Telephone: 219-241-6436
Email: chadhetrick77@hotmail.com
Piano tuning/repair/restoration/regulation services
to the greater Indianapolis area and beyond
"My experience at CSPT was a very positive one that launched my career into a
field where high quality piano technicians are sorely needed."--Chad Hetrick
Mark Jamerson
Mark Jamerson
"The Chicago School for Piano Technology put in front of me enough information to digest for the next five years. I am now well prepared to tackle any situation that may arise while servicing pianos."-- Mark Jamerson
Gus Roddy
Gus Roddy Piano Service
"As a result of a year at the Chicago School, I can offer complete piano care, including tuning, regulation, and repair. I can also offer sound advice on what your piano would need in order to perform at the highest level possible."--Gus Roddy
CLASS OF FALL 2006 (Graduation August 2007)
From left: Alex Barbee, Claudia Stlaske, Noah Tofte, Vanessa Fortier, Cheri Dahlen, Joey Della Vecchia
Alex Barbee
Alex Barbee
Alex's Piano Service
(847) 373-5185
atb52488@yahoo.com
Specializing in Piano Tuning, Repair, & Regulation in the Northwest Suburbs and City of Chicago.
"The Chicago School for Piano Technology provided a wealth of information at every class. It was presented in a manner that was easy to understand and apply as we worked on the pianos. Any time I needed extra clarification, the instructors were available to help. I feel very prepared as I enter the tuning and repair industry because of the comprehensive training I received."--Alex Barbee
Cheri Dahlen
Cheri Dahlen
Vivace Piano Services
"My knowledge of the piano has expanded tremendously as a result of my experiences at CSPT. The year-long program is intense, requiring consistent effort and focus, but the results of those efforts are well worth the blood, sweat, and tears that go into it! The instructors are top notch, generous with sharing their knowledge and experience, and truly dedicated to helping the students succeed. As a result of their tutelage, I know that I will serve my clients well."-Cheri Dahlen
Joey Della Vecchia
Joey Della Vecchia
DV Pianoworks
Chicago, IL
Telephone: 773/322-7391
Email: joey@dvpianoworkschicago.com
Website: www.dvpianoworkschicago.com
I service all of Chicagoland with fine tuning and happy songs. My services include tuning, repairs and action regulation. If your piano needs attention, please contact me at the information above to schedule an appointment with DV Pianoworks, and I would be glad to help you out. My rates are reasonable and hours are flexible including nights and weekends.
“The Chicago School for Piano Technology has been a wonderful experience. It was the only time ever being in a school where not only did I learn a lot about piano technology, but it was also a fun time in class. My instructors have become my friends and also have made me become a confident technician throughout the curriculum.” – Joey Della Vecchia
Vanessa Fortier
Fortier Piano Tuning
Vanessa Fortier
3343 N. Hoyne Ave
Chicago, Il 60618
Telephone: 312/841-0761
Email: vanessa.fortier@gmail.com
I offer piano tuning, repair, and regulation to the north side of Chicago.
"My experiences at the Chicago School for Piano Technology have been magnificent. The time and energy put in have been well worth it, and I feel confident and prepared for the future. There is a tremendous amount of continuous support and knowledge from the faculty to the students at the CSPT, which is undoubtedly our (as students and colleagues) most valuable resource."--Vanessa Fortier
Claudia Stlaske
Claudia Stlaske
Keynote Piano Services
"I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Chicago School for Piano Technology and I cannot say enough about how highly I regard both the school and its faculty. Piano technology is not simply taught here – it is fostered, and students’ interests are somehow turned into passions. It’s not an easy school – you have to work hard here – but after completing the school’s first year curriculum, I can honestly say that I cannot fathom receiving a more thorough education in piano technology anywhere else." --Claudia Stlaske
Noah Tofte
Tofte's Tunings
Noah Tofte
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 651/295-9258
Email: carefulcutter@swedenmail.com
"My learning experience at CSPT was like nothing I have been through before. It was a wonderful way to learn too much about pianos. The skills accquired have armed me with confidence and competence to attack numerous obstacles relating to pianos. More importantly, attending CSPT made me passionate about piano technology. This plus the fantastic facilities and staff made my year at CSPT one of the most rewarding I have ever had."--Noah Tofte
CLASS OF SPRING 2007 (Graduation March 2008)
From left: Joe Cannestra, Ken Spurr, Bill Briant, Sagan Jacobson, David Grandsard (Eleanor Aylward, pictured below)
Eleanor Aylward
Bill Briant
Bill Briant
Briant Piano Services
773/915-3016
Currently in CSPT 2nd Year, Advanced Curriculum--Rebuilding
"I couldn't be more pleased with my experiences at CSPT. The faculty is extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to the success of each student. CSPT provides everything the student needs to succeed, including 24 hour accessibility to the classrooms. I can't imagine a better learning environment for the serious student than the one at CSPT."--Bill Briant
Joe Cannestra
Joe Cannestra
Cannestra Piano Works
Currently working as a Technician for a major piano dealer in Sante Fe, NM
Offering tuning, repair and regulation services
"The best way to learn any trade is through hands-on training and experience from the experts at the top of their profession. That's exactly what you get at the Chicago School for Piano Technology."--Joe Cannestra
David Grandsard
Tele: 630/212-0600
Tuning, repair, and regulation, serving the western suburbs of Chicago
"The education I received at CSPT was exceptional. If you are considering a career in piano technology, this is your school."--David Grandsard
Sagan Jacobson
Sagan Jacobson
Sagan Jacobson Piano Service
Chicago, IL
Telephone: 1 309/530-9442
email: talktosagan@gmail.com
CLASS OF FALL 2007 (Graduation August 2008)
From left: David Dunn, RPT, Richard Stultz, Evan Bingham, Collin Cornelius, Brett Daniels
Evan Bingham, RPT
Evan Bingham, RPT
Web Site: www.empiricalpiano.com
Email: empiricalpiano@gmail.com
Tele:
440/668-9527
Member of the Piano Technician's Guild, Cleveland Chapter
"The Chicago School for Piano Technology has given me the jump start needed to start a new and fascinating career. Right out of school, I was prepared for work at my job in which I am constantly using the knowledge acquired."-- Evan Bingham
Collin Cornelius
Collin Cornelius
Austin, TX Area
(903) 520-2864
"I can't say enough good things about the Chicago School for Piano Technology. Looking back on my year there, I can really appreciate how much effort the faculty put into making an outstanding school. I felt cared about not only as a student but also as a graduate and technician going into the field."--Collin Cornelius
Brett Daniels
Brett Daniels
Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (815) 494-5225
Email: btdaniels@gmail.com
"My year at The Chicago School for Piano Technology was challenging, at times exhausting, but most of all satisfying. It was a totally invaluable experience - a must do for anyone interested in the field."--Brett Daniels
David Dunn, RPT
David Dunn, RPT
A is A Piano Service
Website: http://aisapiano.com/
Email: david@aisapiano.com
847/338-AISA (2472)
Available for piano tuning, regulation and repair work in the north suburban Chicago area by appointment.
Selected as a 2009 summer intern for the Tanglewood Festival with the Boston Symphony.
“What became clear to me during my time at CSPT was that the faculty members are, without exception, people who “get it”: who understand that tuning, regulation, repair, and sound business practices all go hand in hand; that the piano must be approached as a whole instrument, and that the end result of all of our work is musical - the ability of the client to experience joy at their fingertips when they sit at a piano that has been maintained with a true sense of Craftsmanship. My goal as a technician is to exemplify the same understanding of the profession demonstrated by my mentors at CSPT.” -- David Dunn, RPT
Richard Stultz
Richard Stultz
Stultz Piano Services, Inc.
1413 N. Northwest Highway
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-34PIANO
847/347-4266
E-mail: stultzpiano@aol.com
http://storefront.dexonline.com/stultz-piano-service-tuning-chicago-il
Quality piano service for the Northwest suburbs and the North Shore. Member of The Piano Technicians Guild and The American Guild of Organists.
"My experience at The Chicago School for Piano Technology was nothing short of eye-opening. The teachers are all masters in their field. And I learned so many things that I never learned in 7 years of college music training. If you intend to get into the piano tuning field, there is no better place to learn."--Richard Stultz
CLASS OF 2009 (Graduation August 16, 2009)
From left: Bill Briant (Advanced Curriculum/Rebuilding), Paul Frankel, Jon Farah, Randall Fleer, Christa Andrepont, Zane Omohundro, Josh Younger, Alex Lass, Andrew Cherry
Paul Frankel
Paul Frankel
"
It is hard for me to imagine what life would be like for me now, loving music as much as I do, were it not for a year of that life spent in the company of great minds (and people of course) such as Paul and Oksana Revenko-Jones, Jeff Cappelli, and Robert Guenther. I can say, with absolute certainty, that I have never met a group of people with as much passion, commitment, and knowledge for the piano as the faculty of the Chicago School for Piano Technology. Though I did not come to grips with the idea till late in the year, I came to realize that the year I spent with them, and for which I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity, is beyond invaluable. Whereas many trades, crafts and professions today are focused on maintaining "trade secrets" and the like, this group at some point must have come to realize, as I did, that knowledge is almost worthless if it is not carried on; their years and years of having learned, erred, and perfected their craft would have been for naught if there aren't any individuals to carry the tune so to speak, and that's where YOU come in."--Paul Frankel
Jon Farah
Jon Farah
Farah Piano Works
Telephone: 414/305-8464
Email: farahjkeys@gmail.com
Website: http://jonfarah.com
- Serving the greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin area -
"Before taking the plunge into the world of piano technology, I weighed the options of taking a correspondence course vs. attending a school. I'm happy to say that I made the right choice. CSPT gave me the hands-on training from not one, but several incredible technicians that I am proud to know. They showed us that it is good to know how to tune and maintain a piano, but it is better to also know WHY we must tune/maintain pianos. At CSPT, it really is about the whole piano, and I'm proud to tell people about the wonderful, challenging, exhausting and rewarding year I've had here. If you are interested in becoming a high quality piano technician, CSPT is a great place to start that journey."--Jon Farah
Randall Fleer
Randall Fleer
No Drama Piano Service
Website: http://nodrama.com
Email: rfleer@nodrama.com
Telephone: 773/294-0147
Tuning, Maintenance & Repair, Performance & Accompaniment … all with no drama.
Serving Chicago’s north shore neighborhoods and suburbs.
"I cannot imagine a better way to start one’s career in piano technology than a year at the Chicago School for Piano Technology."--Randy Fleer
Christa Andrepont RPT
Christa Andrepont RPT
Andrepont Piano Service
Telephone: 225/773-8011
Website: www.andrepontpianoservice.com
Serving the Chicago metropolitan area...
"I believe that if you plan on taking piano technology seriously, it would be your best investment to enroll in the Chicago School for Piano Technology. Not only are the teachers wonderful human beings, but they hold a goldmine of knowledge! They helped me understand that there's an endless amount of things to be learned and to never stop questioning every aspect of the piano and piano technology. After only one year at CSPT, I have started my business with the confidence I need to be successful."--Christa Andrepont RPT
Zane Omohundro
Zane Omohundro
Telephone: 952/239-2810
Website: www.zanepiano.com
Serving Columbia, Missouri and Mid-Missouri Pianos.
“I went to the Chicago School for Piano Technology expecting simply to learn to tune pianos. What I came away with was so much more. In addition to learning more about pianos than I ever could have imagined, I walked away knowing a superb set of teachers, students, and ultimately friends who will continue to help me throughout my entire career. For those looking for a career in piano technology there is no better place to start.”--Zane Omohundro
Josh Younger RPT
Josh Younger RPT
847/380-0919
Email: joshua@youngerpiano.com
Website: www.youngerpiano.com
"Henry David Thoreau said, 'Go confidently in the direction of your
dreams. Live the life you have imagined.' This was freshly in my
thoughts upon starting my year at the Chicago School for Piano
Technology. Learning the craft of piano technology was a radical
shift for me in my life and the case would probably be the same for
many considering this schooling program. I came to pursue the
direction that my dreams would take me, and my experience at the
school is the cornerstone in the beginnings of my career in piano
work. There are nothing but warm memories and truly high regards for
CSPT in my mind; the school has helped me plot my course for the life
I have imagined."--Josh Younger RPT
Alexander Lass
Alexander Lass
Alexander Piano Works
Ph: 312/813-4763
"To anyone who has the passion, drive, and dedication to enter the field of piano technology: CSPT is the place to start. There is not, in my opinion, a more effective method for learning this craft than the hands-on and ears-on approach of a carefully designed curriculum. You will be challenged and encouraged by tenured professionals whose careers are dedicated to the art of piano service. Freshly graduated, I feel the school has given me 5+ years' advantage over those who "learned by doing" or struggled through a correspondence course. The school gives you an opportunity to make your first mistakes - and successes - in an academic setting. When it's time to launch your business, you'll be providing your clients with nothing short of exceptional craftsmanship."--Alexander Lass
Andrew Cherry
Andrew Cherry
"I found the Chicago School for Piano Technology to be a terrific
choice to prepare for a career as a piano technician. The curriculum
is very well thought-out; it not only includes thorough coverage of
the theoretical underpinnings and technical aspects of the trade, but
also a veritable gold mine of excellent nuts-and-bolts advice
regarding the practical realities of running a piano service business.
But what shines the most at CSPT is the absolute dedication to
craftsmanship -- the faculty here are true professionals who are
insistent on maintaining the highest standard in our craft, a
refreshing contrast to today's "just good enough" world of
mass-produced goods and cookie-cutter services. I would not hesitate
to recommend CSPT to anyone who wants to delve deeply into the unique
world of piano technology."--Andrew Cherry
Bill Briant
Bill Briant
Briant Piano Services
773/915-3016
Advanced Curriculum--Rebuilding 2009
"I couldn't be more pleased with my experiences at CSPT. The faculty is extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to the success of each student. CSPT provides everything the student needs to succeed, including 24 hour accessibility to the classrooms. I can't imagine a better learning environment for the serious student than the one at CSPT."--Bill Briant
Piano Tuner and Technician Graduates of the Chicago School for Piano Technology in Chicago and Around the Country